Expectations rise at deer rut kicks into high gear

Montana’s general hunting season is hitting the midway point and the overall harvest is expected to increase with the onset of the deer breeding season.

The general deer and elk hunting season concludes Dec 1.

The deer breeding season, known as the “rut,” typically begins in early-to-mid November.

So far this season, more hunters have reported harvesting more deer and elk at the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' regional game check stations in northwest Montana compared to last year. 

Overall through the first three weekends of the season, more than 5,400 hunters have been checked at the stations and the percentage of hunters with game has been 8.6 percent compared to 7.1 percent a year ago.

At the U.S. 2 check station west of Kalispell, hunters have brought in 180 white-tailed deer through the first three weekends, well ahead of last year’s 124. That includes 114 bucks while 77 were reported a year ago.

Fifteen elk have been reported, two more than 2023, and 36 mule deer were brought in, 23 more than last season.

At the Olney check station north of Whitefish, 129 whitetails were reported, including 65 bucks. Last year at the same time, 89 deer were reported with 48 bucks. Hunters also reported nine mule deer and three elk.

The Swan check station is also showing marked improvement with 39 whitetails, including 31 bucks, bettering 2023’s 26 deer with nine bucks. One mule deer has been reported along with three elk.

At Thompson Falls, harvest reports are on par with 2023. Thirty whitetails, including 22 bucks were reported. A year ago, it was 29 whitetails with 16 bucks.

The mule deer count is at 14, compared to 11 in 2023. Seven elk were reported while it was nine a year ago.

Check stations are open on weekends during general season from 10 a.m. to approximately 1.5 hours past sunset. The regional stations are located at U.S. Highway 2 West of Kalispell, Montana Highway 83 north of Swan Lake, Highway 200 west of Thompson Falls, and Highway 93 near Olney.

Hunters must stop at any check station they encounter whether they harvested an animal or not. The counts at the stations represent a sampling of the harvest and do not represent the complete number of animals taken.

A table linked below summarizes the latest check station results at northwest Montana check stations.

Chronic Wasting Disease

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) was recently detected in a white-tailed deer in Kalispell. This is the first time CWD has been detected in a wild herd in Hunting District 170.

FWP is increasing the availability of antlerless white-tailed deer hunting licenses in HD 170 following the detection. Hunters can now buy two 170-00 Deer B licenses over the counter. Previously, hunters were only allowed to buy one.

The 170-00 Deer B License allows hunters in Hunting District 170 to harvest a white-tailed deer without antlers or with antlers less than 4 inches long as measured from the top of the skull. 

Following Montana’s CWD Management Plan, FWP is increasing harvest opportunity in the district to assess the prevalence of CWD in the area. The CWD management plan is a strategy based on the best available science and developed by FWP to monitor, control, and prevent the spread of CWD among wild deer, elk, and moose populations.

CWD Testing

CWD sample submission is voluntary in most places in Montana.

All hunters in HD 170 are encouraged to get their harvested deer and elk tested for CWD. 

There are new mandatory testing requirements for tags associated with CWD management near Libby. Testing is required for all animals harvested using the Deer B License 199-20 in HDs 100, 103 and 104, or Deer Permit 103-50 in HD 103.

FWP strongly recommends that hunters receive a negative CWD test result before bringing their deer, elk or moose to a meat processor or donating it to a foodbank. 

If the animal tests positive for CWD, FWP will advise the hunter on proper carcass and meat disposal and give instructions on how to request a replacement license.

How to Submit Samples for Testing

All hunters who want their harvested animal sampled can submit samples themselves by following steps on the Montana CWD Submission Guide or by visiting a CWD Sampling Station.

CWD Sample Stations

In northwest Montana, hunters can bring their harvested animal to the FWP office in Kalispell, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for sample collection. Reservations are not required and sampling will be done first-come, first-serve.

A CWD sampling station in Libby will operate Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, 10 a.m. to 1.5 hours past sunset, and Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to sunset at the Montana Department of Transportation shop on U.S. Highway 2 south of town.

Hunters who want their animal sampled should leave 2 to 4 inches of the neck below the low jawbone and base of the skull to ensure lymph nodes are present and not inadvertently left with the carcass. Samples cannot be collected from frozen heads.

Carcass Disposal

Carcass parts, such as brain, eyes, spleen, lymph glands, and spinal cord material, should be left at the kill site when possible. If the animal is transported for taxidermy or meat processing, the brain and spinal tissue must be bagged and disposed of in a Class II landfill.

Carcass Disposal Sites

A carcass may be transported within the state regardless of where it was harvested if the carcass parts are disposed of in a landfill after butchering and processing.

Dumping carcasses is illegal, unethical, and can spread diseases, including chronic wasting disease. This requirement applies to all deer, elk, and moose carcasses wherever in the state they are harvested by hunters or as vehicle-killed salvage.

Northwest Montana (Region 1) Reminders

- Hunters should plan ahead and review the regulations for each hunting district they plan to hunt. When reading the regulation booklet, make sure to review the far right column titled, “Opportunity Specific Details and/or Restrictions."

- Elk hunting is brow-tined bull only in Region 1 (northwest Montana) except in Hunting District 170, unless a hunter drew a limited draw antlerless elk B license. Certain hunting districts also allow hunters who possess a Permit to Hunt from a Vehicle (PTHFV) to harvest an antlerless elk (check regulations for specifics).

- All hunters planning to access the Flathead Ridge Ranch Block Management Area off U.S. Highway 2 West between Kalispell and Libby must obtain a free permission card for the season. The permission card must be displayed from the rearview mirror of every hunter’s vehicle while on the property. Only one card per vehicle is required but each hunter’s name within the vehicle must be on the slip. Hunters can acquire these permission cards from the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office in Kalispell, the Highway 2 West game check station, the American Forest Management office outdoor kiosk on Highway 2, or at sign-in boxes located throughout Flathead Ridge Ranch BMA. These cards serve as proof of permission to hunt on the property for the entire general season. Similar to other Block Management areas across the state, FWP will use the permission cards to track hunting pressure and gather important feedback on the hunting season.

- Hunters should “Be Bear Aware” and properly store food and carcasses. Hunters should avoid hanging carcasses near houses or garages. Carcasses should be suspended at least 10 feet above the ground and 4 feet out from any upright support. Hunters are encouraged to carry bear spray and know how to use it. More food storage and safety information are available on the FWP website at https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/be-bear-aware.